Liverpool playmaker called up to Brazil squad to replace dropped Chelsea duo

The Selecao are set to meet Costa Rica on September 5 and the United States three days later, matches which now give Coutinho an opportunity to stake a claim for a more prominent role for the national side.

The Liverpool man—whose late effort against Stoke City in the Reds’ opener was one of the early games of the season—will have the chance to compete with new Anfield teammate Roberto Firmino.

The former Hoffenheim man had been given the opportunity to impress for the Selecao recently, in place of unfit Neymar, but struggled to match the Barcelona man’s impact.